Elche – Real Betis
Elche has been waiting 52 years for a La Liga opening win, and now the club kicks off the Primera División against Real Betis at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. It is Eder Sarabia’s debut as a first division head coach, and he faces Manuel Pellegrini, one of the longest-serving coaches in the league. Elche is provisionally in 10th place in the table, Betis in 14th, but the setting is more decisive, with around 27,000 season tickets promising a full, loud house. The news is adding to the tension, with Betis traveling without Isco, Marc Roca, and Abde, while Lo Celso and Altimira are doubtful, which is why Pellegrini is likely to rely on young talent. Elche is hoping that new signing Fede Redondo will settle in quickly, while Josan is doubtful. The last league match at this venue ended 2-3. In around 80% of the most recent direct encounters, there were over 1.5 goals, while at the same time there were often fewer than 3.5 goals. It could be another open game.
Elche CF – Betis info
- Venue: Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche
- Date and time: 18.08.2025, 21:00
- Competition: Primera División (Matchday 1)
This gives us three tips that are interlinked and supported by the news: Both teams to score: Yes, over 2.5 goals and 1X for Elche. Elche has been scoring reliably lately, and Eder Sarabia has promised an open game that promises chances rather than control. Betis is missing key players in the center, Isco is out, Marc Roca is injured, Deossa is training individually, and Altimira remains questionable. Even if Lo Celso is available, he creates more than he stabilizes. This favors both teams to score: Yes, because Elche’s fresh offense around Valera and Álvaro Rodríguez will face Betis’ quality up front with Riquelme, Lo Celso, and Cucho, while both defenses still need fine-tuning. One might think that a season opener would dampen the risk, but Betis’ recent tests have shown vulnerabilities, and Sarabia’s approach is not aimed at a 0-0 draw. The same situation raises expectations for over 2.5 goals, because the visitors’ midfield can give away space and the rhythm will change as soon as the game picks up speed. The context favors 1X, as Elche opens at home with strong support, is reinforced by Fede Redondo, and faces a depleted opponent missing several regulars. Historically, Elche rarely starts with a win, but this setup suggests that the Ilicitanos will at least get a point, while the probability of goals remains high.
Elche CF Form & Record Check
Elche brings late momentum from the Segunda. In their last five league games, they won 0-1 in Burgos, 2-0 against Málaga, and 0-4 at Deportivo, while losing 1-3 to Levante and 2-1 in Huesca. The trend shows more clarity in the final third, but at the same time, the lost games seemed too open at times as soon as the opponent picked up the pace.
There are patterns in the league form of these competitive games that need to be taken seriously. No draws, often over 1.5 goals, and Elche scored every time, often after the break. Interestingly, this coincides with Sarabia’s suggestion to increase determination in both penalty areas. Reliable in attack, but the balance between risk and control will be crucial when the quality in the Primera increases.
The 4-0 win at Riazor exceeded expectations, as did a friendly victory against Hércules. New signings such as Fede Redondo and Martim Neto are expected to organize the center, with Germán Valera providing width. Yago Santiago is out for a long time, Josan is doubtful, and the squad is still growing. Formally in 10th place in the table, level on points with Osasuna and Espanyol, the club is still haunted by its inability to get off to a good start in the Primera for decades.
Our prediction is that Elche will stick with a 4-4-2 formation. Dituro in goal, in front of him a back four of Núñez, Affengruber, Bigas and Pétrot. Febas and Aguado will provide balance in the center, with Valera on the right and Mendoza on the left providing depth. Up front, Mourad will be the focal point, with Rodríguez providing depth. That is a possible starting XI, but it has not yet been confirmed.
In terms of personnel, Santiago is still out with a cruciate ligament rupture. Josan is doubtful, Diaby is working his way back, and Boayar has been struggling recently. Interestingly, Redondo could be in the squad after his arrival, more as a substitute. Sarabia spoke of suspensions and injuries, without giving any details. Neto is an option in central midfield and Chust in defense.
Betis form & record check
Across all competitions, Betis have gone five competitive games without a win. In La Liga, they drew 1-1 with Osasuna, 2-2 at Rayo and 1-1 with Valencia, and lost 4-1 at Atlético. In the Conference League final, they lost 4-1 to Chelsea. You might think they’re off to a good start, but then the pace of the game slows down, the defense wobbles and individual mistakes pile up.
Interestingly, Betis has scored and conceded in each of these five games. All games had over 1.5 goals, with most goals conceded after the break in four out of five cases. The preseason also sent out warning signals, such as the 1-3 defeat in Málaga. There is presence in attack, but the balance between the midfield and defense is clearly lacking at times.
The squad is thin. Isco is out until November with a broken fibula, Marc Roca and Abde are struggling with injuries, and Gio Lo Celso has muscle problems. New signing Nelson Deossa is training individually. Borja Iglesias is gone, which thins out the front line. At the same time, all the new signings have been registered, and the club is negotiating with Fluminense for Facundo Bernal and keeping the door open for Antony.
Before the start of the season, Betis are pro forma in 14th place in the table, level on points with Celta Vigo and below Real Madrid. That doesn’t mean much; what’s more important is the pattern: goals are never the problem, but controlling the game after the break is. If Pellegrini’s team can stabilize the spaces in the second half, they could quickly improve their form, especially since the basic structure is in place under the Chilean.
A 4-2-3-1 formation is expected under Pellegrini. Valles in goal, behind him Bellerín, Bartra, Natan, and Rodríguez. In the center, Altimira will likely provide cover for Fornals, with Riquelme playing as a free ten in front of them. Ruibal will play on the right, Firpo on the left, and Bakambu up front. Interestingly, Betis could deliberately overload the right side, with Riquelme docking in the half-spaces. Prediction, no confirmation.
The squad looks thin. Isco is out for a long time with a broken fibula, Marc Roca is missing with a foot injury, and Abde and Lo Celso are still struggling. Deossa is training individually, as is Llorente, and neither are likely to start. If Rodríguez changes at short notice, Firpo is likely to start at left-back and the wings would be readjusted. In addition, departures in attack are possible, so the bench remains variable. It’s all just a prediction.
H2H Elche CF – Betis Head-to-Head & Statistics
In the last five head-to-head matches since 2021, Betis has come out on top with three wins, one draw, and one win for Elche. Betis won both away games in Elche in 2021 and 2023. Elche’s only win came in 2022 away in Seville, with a one-goal difference and no goals conceded. Overall, the recent record slightly favors Pellegrini’s team.
The goal profile shows a pattern, with over 1.5 goals scored in four of the five games, while the total number remained under 3.5 in four games. Interestingly, the second half was remarkably quiet, with four games seeing fewer than 1.5 goals. This series of four applies to both sides, while the first half often produced early goals.
Betis scored in four of the five encounters, while Elche conceded in four as well. Elche found the net in three games. Both teams scored in only two matches. One could argue that the trend favors Betis with a moderate number of goals, especially since the second half has rarely made history recently.
